Essay On Juveniles

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With increased crimes in the society, it has become more common in the criminal justice system to treat the juvenile offers as grown-ups. However, there is strong evidence and arguments against this practice. Jessica Reaves from the TIME magazine stated that “the brain’s prefrontal lobe… plays a crucial role in inhibiting inappropriate behavior” (Reaves). Reaves also stated that juveniles “may not reach full development until age 20” (Reaves). This indicates that most children with underdeveloped brain are not capable of fully comprehending the consequences of their actions, unlike adults. Also, the Individuals with Disabilities Act stated that “Only 11 percent of correctional facilities provided special education services and an even smaller …show more content…

Although a common belief which people take for granted, the reasoning, however, is flawed. Research has shown that “the human brain does not fully develop until the mid-20s and the portion of the brain that governs rational decision-making is the last to develop” (“Children Tried as Adults Face Danger, Less Chance for Rehabilitation”). Therefore, juveniles engaging in dangerous behavior likely do not fully comprehend the consequences of their actions, and special considerations should be given in light of the difference in brain development between the juveniles and that of adults. Since juveniles are different in many ways from growns ups, the juvenile justice system is designed to treat the juveniles differently in crimes and punishment. “Research showed that children prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system are more likely to reoffend than those held in the juvenile justice system” (“Children Tried as Adults Face Danger, Less Chance for Rehabilitation”). This means that punishments designed for adults will unlikely benefit the juveniles. On contrary, more likely, they will have significant negative impact in the later adult lives of those children. Therefore, in conclusion, rather than “lock them up and throw away the keys”, even juveniles who have committed serious crimes should be provided the opportunities to “revive” and start a new

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